Your flight from Quito, Guayaquil, to San Cristobal Airport will arrive at noon.
You will reach Lobos Island in the afternoon. This island is located on San Cristobal Island near Playa Ochoa. It is home to blue-footed bobies and frigate bird nests between the saltbushes. You can also find sea lions again. You can also find saguaro and cacti in this area.
Overnight onboard and dinner.
You will reach Punta Pitt, the northeastern tip San Cristobal at dawn. You will pass colonies of frigate birds swallow-tailed and gulls, Nazca, red-footed and blue-footed bobies as you go. Punta Pitt is where all three species of boobies can be found in the Galapagos.
We will be walking from the beach to the high country in the afternoon. It takes approximately three and a quarter hours to walk this distance (return and return). It can get very hot during the warmer months, as there are no shade trees. You will be rewarded by the chance to see the Galapagos giant tortoises, which can be found in their natural habitat along this route. These giant tortoises can reach up to 300kg in weight and are estimated to be as old as 200 years.
Overnight onboard and dinner.
You will arrive at Cerro Brjo, on the west coast of San Cristobal in the morning. There are many pelicans, gulls, and boobies in this amazing crater. The bay is home to young sea turtles, stingrays, and it's a great spot for snorkeling and swimming.
Drive along the coast to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) which is a fragmented tuff that serves as a nesting area for seabirds. Keep an eye out for blue-footed bobies, pelicans, and frigate birds.
The southern Espanola Island (Hood), is flat and entirely a part of birds. Large colonies of blue-footed and masking boobies nest here, which are still available until December. They join 10,000 albatrosses in March, and other birds such as tropical birds, songbirds, and various gulls.
You will spend the morning exploring Punta Suarez. This is one of the most popular spots in the Archipelago. It features many species that can be found on the cliffs and beaches. The place is also home to five marine species. It also houses doves, hawks, and curious Galapagos mockingbirds. This is the only spot where you can see red iguanas. You may also see newborn albatross chicks and nests of albatross nests from May through December. There are also a variety of reptiles that you can see, such as the marine iguana or lava lizard. They are unique to this island. Thunderous jets can reach up to 30 meters when the waves in Punta Suarez are strong. The walk will be approximately 2 km long and last 3 hours.
You will find Gardner Bay in the afternoon. This beautiful white sand beach, which measures two kilometers long, is one of the most picturesque bays in Galapagos. Espanola mockingbirds and sea lions relax in the sun, while Espanola hawks are often nearby. Additionally, you will find marine iguanas at the end of the beach while bright red crabs walk across the rocks. This area offers amazing snorkeling opportunities.
Overnight onboard and dinner.
Floreana (Charles) was the first island to be inhabited in 1832. It was home to a wild mix colonists. It was the setting for a Hollywood mature drama in the 1930s that attracted worldwide attention. There were many deaths and the disappearances of others, leaving a puzzle unsolved until today.
We take a walk to Punta Cormorant in the morning. After landing on the beach, we descend 100m along a path to reach a mangrove lagoon. The lagoon is home to Galapagos ducks as well as black storks, oystercatchers, and gold sandpipers. We may also be able to see flamingos. A second trail leads to a small beach that is a nesting spot for Pacifc sea turtles. It can be found from December through March. Rays can be found in shallow waters, and occasionally reef sharks whitetip too.
Next, we will visit the Post Office Bay. This is where you can find the famous post barrel that was used by whalers to send their mail. You can also leave a note here and hope it reaches its destination. Don't forget your postcards!
You can snorkel at Punta Cormorant or the Bahia Post Office.
Overnight onboard and dinner.
Santa Cruz, the last island in the Archipelago, was colonized by the Spanish in 1926. The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to over 100 scientists from all over the world. They play an important role in environmental education and nature conservation. A visit to the information centre and the outdoor area, with its turtles- and iguanas-enclosed enclosures, is a must during any Galapagos vacation.
At midday, you'll fly from Baltra Airport to the mainland to Guayaquil and Quito.
